Home Owners F.A.Q

Finding a contractor to undertake any building work can be a daunting task. Word-of-mouth recommendations are usually a good way to assess the contractors quality of work and reliablility. Using a Bona Certified Flooring Contractor is a guaranteed way of knowing your contractor has a proven professional track record. The Bona Certified Contractor program is by invitation only. It is only for contractors who have demonstrated professionalism in their work practices over an extended period of time, and demonstrate expertise in the use of Bona water-based systems.

Bona Certified Contractors have access to the latest Bona machinery to give the best possible results for their clients, including the Bona Dust Control (DCS) system for dust free sanding and the Bona PowerScrubber for deep cleaning. Head here to find a BCC near you.

Most contractors will be happy to provide a free quotation, subject of course to the time and distance to reach you. A couple of quotes from well sourced contractors is generally enough to judge what is a fair price. To ensure you know exactly what the contractor is offering get detailed quotations showing all work to be carried out. Clarify the little things such as, “Will the rubbish and sawdust from the floor be removed from site”? Compare 'apples to apples' or you might find that your 'cheap' price leaves you with much work still to do.

Ask the contractor for references, good contractors are only too happy to let you speak to their customers. Be wary if the majority of the money is asked for 'up front' and make sure you are happy with the end result before making final payment. Stage payments are common for when each phase of work is completed, but again make sure you are happy before signing off each stage.

Revive, Recoat or Refinish your floors with a flooring expert
A Bona Certified Contractor has the skills and expertise to professionally assess the condition of your hardwood floors, and execute the correct restoration process to either revive, restore, or refinish your floors.

Revive your hardwood floors
Sometimes all your timber floor needs is a professional deep cleaning. A BCC is trained to provide that service, which quickly removes scuffs and grime, restoring your hardwood floors.

Recoat your hardwood floors
Replacing a timber floor finish or “recoating,” is a budget-friendly solution that rejuvenates and adds a new layer of protection. Once floors have been deep cleaned, a recoat can be completed.

Refinish your hardwood floors
Refinishing timber floors amounts to a total flooring restoration. It’s a way to repair damages, but it can also be a great opportunity to completely change the look and feel of your floors in terms of color, texture and finish.

For more information, head here.

"When can we move back in?” is a common question. Whether you’ve vacated just the part of your house that has been re-coated or have moved out completely, homeowners want to reoccupy their home and bring back their furniture etc. as soon as possible. How quickly you can move back into a room or even walk on it varies depending on the type of finish that has been used. Head here for info on when you can move back in after having your floors coated.

Choosing between solvent or water-based finishes is up to the consumers preference. Solvent finishes typically have a hi-gloss 'yellow' appearance, whereas water-based finishes range from ultra matt to std gloss and don't yellow over time. Solvent-based timber floor coatings are toxic, carry serious health risks and are harmful to the environment. Water-based coatings contain no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and are Isocyante free. Bona pioneered the development of water-based floor finishes in 1979 and is now the recognised world leader in water-based coatings for timber floors. Read more about Solvent-based vs water-based finishes here...

The myth that solvent based floor finishes wear better is not correct. Today’s polyurethane technology means that the best water-based finishes provide wear resistance superior to that of a solvent-based product - and are 100% polyurethane based without toxic fumes. Water-based finishes are a preferred choice for commercial premises due to their wear resistant properties and composition. Minimal disturbance is required as there are no toxic fumes or health risks.

Bona are the world leader in high quality durable floor finishes and since the early 1990's ceased production completely of toxic solvent based finishes, now exclusively producing water-based finishes only. This is in line with EU regulations which ban the use of solvent based finishes in EU countries.

Bona coatings have been used to coat more than 2 billion m² of flooring worldwide. They have been sold in Australia for over 25 years and used to coat floors at Old Parliament House, Parliament House, The National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, the National Gallery Vic, State Library Vic and Melbourne Museum, Adelaide Oval and the main auditorium & stage at Sydney Opera House plus countless other commercial and residential projects.

What are the dangers associated with solvent-based finishes?

Toxic fumes given off by solvent floor finishes contain free isocyanates that affect the respiratory system and are particularly dangerous for asthma sufferers, children and the elderly. Solvent-based floor finishes are classified as poisons and homeowners should vacate premises until solvent based coatings are fully cured. This can take a minimum of 7 – 14 days. In addition the fumes from solvent finishes can taint food in pantries and even refrigerators. Plants, paintings and pets should also be removed from the area until the finish is totally cured.

The risks associated with solvent finishes mean water-based floor finishes are now the common choice. They have no toxic fumes or isocyanates - with no need to vacate the premises during application. Bona’s modern polyurethane finishes offer excellent wear resistance, are non-yellowing and bring out the real beauty of timber flooring - without risking your health. Solvent finishes are a thing of the past, so ask your professional floor finisher about the benefits of the Bona water-based alternative.

Bona water-based finishes offer many advantages over solvent-based products. Firstly all Bona finishes remove the need to move out while the finish is curing. Bona finishes are fast drying and have excellent resistance to wear. Remember however that although the finishes are unaffected by light, unlike solvent based products, the timber can be affected by UV light so exposed areas may change colour a little over the first few months; it is worth avoiding putting mats back during this time. There is wide a choice of sheen levels ranging from ultra matt to extra matt, matt and satin. Unlike solvent finishes that give floors a plastic appearance, Bona finishes look natural and highlight the beauty of the timber.

The difference in product cost between using a water-based finish and a solvent finish is usually about $4 - $6 per m². This is a small difference when the many benefits of a non-toxic Bona finish are taken into account. For example, there is no need to move out during the finishing of the floor. If you are only having floors in part of your house being coated then you can use the remainder of the house. Similarly there are no lingering odours or solvents as there would be with a solvent-based finish so you can reoccupy the coated areas quickly with no fear of being exposed to dangerous chemicals.

It is always difficult to advise what specification is needed for a floor without having information regarding the expected foot traffic levels, the required appearance with regard to colour / sheen / depth of the finish, the expected floor care regime and the budget considerations. In general terms all of the Bona finishes are suitable for all levels of domestic use but clearly, they also have varying expected performance levels. For instance, if you have a young family and expect that your floors will be subject to very heavy wear then you may wish to use one of our commercial finishes, such as Bona Traffic HD or Traffic GO, whereas if the floor has lighter use then Bona Mega or Mega EVO may be more suitable.

Whichever specification you decide upon with your contractor there are a few things that you should make sure of in relation to the finishes used. The specification should have a Bona primer followed by 2 applications of top coat Bona finish. The use of solvent-based primers from other companies is not compatible with Bona water-based finishes. Similarly using a different Bona finish for the middle coat compared to the final application, such as using Bona Mega and then Bona Traffic, can bring issues. Finally, if you are unsure as to which product to use on your floor always try to use the 'higher' specification to ensure that the system chosen can deal with the expected level of traffic and use.

Although Bona top coats can be used directly on bare timber, we strongly recommend the use of a Bona Primer such as Intense, Classic or Classic UX. Firstly, a primer costs less than a top coat hence this saves money. But more importantly, there are critical technical reasons to use a primer. Bona primers ensure the floor is evenly sealed without discolouration or patchy appearance, and minimises the possibility of edge bonding occurring with your floor. It also saves time because primers are designed to dry faster than top-coats.

Caring for a timber floor is simple. To begin with take preventative measures to minimize the floor getting dirty by using door mats and cleaning up spillage as soon as possible. Make sure that all furniture has felt pads and non-marking feet. Use a ph neutral detergent floor cleaning solution to regularly clean the floor. Sanding and Recoating may be necessary every 5 – 8 years if the floor has been subject to heavy wear but in many houses this timescale can be extended significantly with good floor care.

To ensure that floors treated with Bona finish systems stay in good condition Bona has developed a full range of bio-based Greenguard Certified floor cleaning products which are widely available at retailers australia wide, head here for more info: Bona floor care products.

The subject of the effects of light on a timber floor is quite involved and not easily summarized in a single paragraph. Please follow the link for more information.

We all recognize that owning a dog can affect our lives in different ways and that includes what happens to the floors in your house! For information on how best to deal with the interaction between your dog and your floors, head here.

How much Bona Cleaner do I need to add to my robot mopping machine?
Check how large the reservoir is for your machine and / or docking station.  You should add a maximum of 5 ml of Cleaner for each 100 ml of clean water.  Do not add extra Cleaner as this may cause issues with excess foaming and result in streaks on the floor.

How do I measure 5 ml?
A standard kitchen measure for a teaspoon is 5 ml and a tablespoon is 15 ml. Knowing this will allow you to add Cleaner at 5 ml / 100 ml of clean water in your machine.

Will the floor get cleaner if I use more Cleaner concentrate?
No, the Cleaner is balanced to be effective at the recommended dosage whilst maintaining a low degree of foam and not causing streaking. Overdosing may lead to excessive foaming and streaking.

Can I use the same cleaner for all floors?
Bona Cleaners are formulated and optimised for either Wood or Hard Surface floors (Stone, tile etc) and we recommend using the correct cleaner for your floor type. However, if you have both wood and hard surface floors in your home and wish to only use one floor cleaner, we recommend that you use the Bona Wood Floor Cleaner.

Is it safe to use Bona Cleaner for any Robot Machine?
Bona Cleaners are pH-balanced, low foaming and non-corrosive but always check for any limitations in use in your machine manual.

Can I use your machine cleaner in my upright cleaning machine?
Yes our cleaners are designed for use in upright machines. But check for any limitations in use in your machine manual first.

Do I need to dilute the concentrate with a 5% addition rate all the time? Or can I dilute based upon the cleanliness of the floor?
A 5% addition rate (5 ml - 100 ml clean water) is the recommended dose but it is always possible to add less if the floor is already in a relatively good, clean state. It is not recommended to add more than 5% of the Cleaner concentrate.

Do I need to wash the tanks of mopping robots or mopping vacuums after the cleaner usage?
Check your machine manual. Good practice is to empty and rinse the tanks after every use. Dirty water is a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause foul odours. To prevent the risk of leaks, also empty the clean water tank.

Will the Cleaner foam or streak while using with my robots? Should it happen, what do I do?
Some degree of foam will normally develop. To avoid excessive foaming, never exceed the recommended dosage. If the machine creates a lot of turbulence and foam, lower the concentration of Cleaner. Streaking can be caused by several things. Check that the microfiber pad is clean, well attached without any folds and lies perfectly flat to the floor. Adding excessive amounts of cleaning agent can also cause streaking so please stay within the recommended dose.

Anything I need to pay attention to or to avoid before, during or after using the cleaner with mopping robots/mopping vacuums?
Check your machine manual. In general, make sure all parts, especially microfiber pads and rollers are clean. Use the correct amount of Cleaner. Add water first and then add the Cleaner concentrate to minimise foam. Empty the tanks after use.

Should I use hot or cold water? Does it make a difference?
Never use hot water in mopping robots or other machine-based cleaning equipment unless it is specified within the machine manual. Use cold water or water at room temperature.

After mixing the Cleaner with water, how long can I keep it?
Diluted Cleaner has a low concentration of preservative. It is recommended not to keep it for more than 1 month after mixing. Observe that many machine producers recommend emptying the machine after every use. This also reduces the potential risk for leaks. Follow any specific maintenance instructions provided by the machine's manufacturer.

If I have any questions in using a Bona Cleaner, who can turn to? Hotline? Mailbox?
Contact your local Bona Office, find contact information here.

What are bio-based floor cleaning formulas?
Bio-based floor cleaners are the next evolution in floor cleaning formlua's. Bio-based formulas contain greater than 90% bio based ingredients and are extremely effective. Bona Wood Floor Cleaner and Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner have been enhanced to deliver a highly efficient clean while staying safe for your floors.

What's new in bio-based?
They are more powerful ‐ Bona's upgraded bio formulas remove dirt and grime more efficiently than ever – proven in lab tests and real-life scrubbing. No residue, no streaks. Just a clean floor.

Why change cleaning formulas that already work?
Because Bona believe in better. That’s why we’ve taken our floor cleaners and made them even better—refining our formulas to be more effective than ever. We didn’t just update them—we upgraded them. Because when it comes to cleaning your floors and your home, we believe in constantly raising the bar.

How do Bona bio-cleaners perform in comparitive tests?
Both the bio-based Bona Wood Floor Cleaner and the Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner, combined with the Bona Microfiber Cleaning Pad, outperformed 18 leading European competitors in independent testing of dirt removal. Designed for maximum efficiency, the Bona cleaning system effectively tackles household dirt, leaving floors spotlessly clean and streak-free.